usa591 wrote:
Hiya,
I'm a CRD owner who's considering heading over to Racetrack Playa in July.
I used to live in Saudi Arabia, so I'm not too concerned about heat affecting my personal comfort. I'm curious about what the group here thinks of my harebrained plan--wise/unwise?
BTW, does anyone know if the NPS monitors Ham radio out there?
Thanks!
I was there in the spring some years ago in a group of four Jeeps (KJ, JKU, TJ and CJ). My recollection is that the main road includes a very long washboard. It's not difficult, but it shakes the heck out of everything. My roof rack was loaded up with a second spare and hi-lift. It shook lose. The CJ had a tow bar on the front. It shook lose, planted in the dirt and jacked the Jeep in the air. For sure it twisted the frame and there may have been radiator damage. The driver of that Jeep was very experienced.
So the risk of damage to your vehicle is real. Do you want to deal with that if it's 115 or 120 like now?
It's heated up here to over 105 for the last few days and I really notice the difference. My wife had minor heat exhaustion a few weeks ago working too long outside and drinking too little, even though she knows better. She was fine working in the shade for hours, but stepped into the sun and felt sick.
I don't think it's unreasonable to go to DV in the summer as long as you take it very seriously and stay within a safe distance of the more populated areas. Straying very far is asking for trouble.
I don't know if any one monitors a Ham channel. A satellite phone would be better. They can be rented.
The best thing to do would be to call the DV Park Service. They rescue vehicles on a regular basis and can give good advice about what's safe and what's not.